Frown Lines and a Downturned Mouth: Why They Make You Look Angry or Sad
Frown lines (also called glabellar lines) and drooping mouth corners can unintentionally make you look angry, sad, or tired, even when you feel perfectly fine. As we age, skin loses elasticity, and muscle movements become more pronounced—especially in the frown area and around the mouth.
Volume loss and muscle pull from the depressor anguli oris (DAO) can cause the mouth to turn downward, creating a permanent frown-like appearance. These subtle changes can affect how others perceive you—making you look less approachable or more tense.
At Damalis Skin Clinic, we take a doctor-led, personalised approach to restore balance. Using anti-wrinkle injections and precisely placed dermal fillers, we gently lift and soften these areas—creating a natural, refreshed expression that still looks like you.
Modern Aesthetic Solutions That Restore Balance
Thankfully, modern treatments offer subtle, natural-looking solutions. At Damalis Skin Clinic, we take a medically led, personalised approach to softening these features:
- Anti-wrinkle injections help relax the muscles that contribute to frown lines and downward pull.
- Dermal fillers are used to lift and restore volume around the mouth, improving the overall harmony of the lower face.
These treatments are designed not to erase your expressions, but to help you look refreshed, calm, and true to yourself—without the risk of overcorrection.
At Damalis Skin Clinic, we take a strategic approach to softening these features.
Using precise dermal filler placement and, when needed, targeted muscle-relaxing injections, we can lift and support the corners of the mouth, restoring a more neutral or naturally uplifted expression—without overcorrection.
Understand Frown Lines and downturned corners of the mouth and How They Affect Your Look
Frown lines—the vertical “11” lines between your eyebrows—and downturned corners of the mouth are common signs of ageing that can make you look angry, sad, or tired, even when you’re feeling perfectly content.
These changes happen gradually:
- Frown lines form from repeated muscle movements like frowning, squinting, or concentrating. Over time, they deepen and become visible even at rest.
- Downturned mouth corners occur due to volume loss, skin laxity, and constant pulling by muscles like the depressor anguli oris (DAO), which drag the corners of the lips downward.
Together, these features can unintentionally give off a stern, fatigued, or unhappy expression—impacting how others see you.
For many people in Wimbledon and London, these lines aren’t just about vanity. They’re about wanting their appearance to reflect how they truly feel. At Damalis Skin Clinic London, we believe in helping you understand these lines so you can make informed choices for a natural, confident, and approachable look.
Causes and Risk Factors
Understanding the causes of frown lines and downturned corners of the mouth can help you choose the right approach to manage them:
- Facial muscle movement: Habitual expressions cause the skin to crease in the same patterns.
- Ageing: As we age, the skin produces less collagen and elastin, losing its ability to snap back.
- Sun exposure: UV damage breaks down the skin’s supportive fibres faster.
- Stress: Emotional stress often leads to repeated expressions that deepen lines.
- Genetics: Some people are simply more prone to developing prominent lines earlier.
These risk factors combine over time to create visible creases that can affect your overall facial appearance.
Symptoms: How Frown Lines Present
Frown lines may appear as:
- Vertical lines between the eyebrows.
- Creases that deepen with expressions.
- Lines that remain even when the face is relaxed.
- A permanently angry or sad appearance that doesn’t reflect your true emotions.
They can make you look older, tired, or less approachable, impacting social and professional interactions.
Management and Treatment Approaches
Reducing frown lines and downturned corners of the mouth is about smoothing their appearance while preserving natural facial expressions.
Treatment options include:
- Anti-wrinkle injections: The gold standard for relaxing the muscle movement that causes frown lines. It works by temporarily reducing muscle contraction to soften lines.
- Dermal fillers: Help restore lost volume and reduce static lines that remain even at rest.
- Skin biostimulation treatments: Boost collagen and elastin production for longer-term improvements.
- Medical microneedling improves overall skin texture and tone.
- Advanced skincare: Including sun protection and medical-grade products to prevent further signs of ageing.
Our goal is always subtle rejuvenation, so you look relaxed and confident, never frozen or artificial.
BOOK A CONSULTATIONPotential Treatments for Frown Lines at Damalis Skin Clinic London
Frown Lines BEFORE & AFTER
FAQs About Frown Lines
What causes frown lines and downturned corners of the mouth?
Repeated facial muscle movement, ageing, sun exposure, stress, and genetics.
Do frown lines and downturned corners of the mouth make you look angry or sad?
Yes—vertical lines can give an unintended emotional appearance even at rest.
Can frown lines and downturned corners of the mouth be treated?
Yes. Treatments include botulinum toxin, dermal fillers, biostimulation, and medical skincare.
Is treatment safe?
Absolutely. Dr. Steph uses medical-grade, sterile techniques.
Will I look frozen?
No. We focus on natural movement and subtle results.
How long do results last?
Botulinum toxin lasts 2–4 months; other treatments vary.
When should I start treatment?
When lines begin to affect your appearance or confidence
Does it hurt?
Mild discomfort, but we offer numbing options.
Is there downtime?
Minimal. Most patients return to normal activities immediately.
Why choose Damalis Skin Clinic London?
For safe, personalised, doctor-led care with natural-looking results.
